Posts Tagged Language and Politics
Journalism and ‘the words of power’ By Robert Fisk
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Uncategorized on 30/05/2010
The lecture below is one of the best adaptations of George Orwell’s argument that: “In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible.” (See Politics and the English Language by George Orwell on the Writing Rights Classics page.) The lecture is a serious length but one that demonstrates journalistic integrity. [...]
“‘n Skrik Gedaante Loop in Europa Rond”: Lessons from the Afrikaans Language Movement
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Uncategorized on 18/05/2010
THE AFRIKAANS LANGUAGE MOVEMENT – A PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT Afrikaans became a recognised language through organised mass struggle. The Afrikaans language movement is instructive for all of us who believe that the struggle for quality education must include language equality. Afrikaners realized that real citizenship and equality was indistinguishable from the movement to recognise Afrikaans as [...]
LANGUAGE AND THE INTELLECTUAL DISPOSSESSION OF AFRICAN AND COLOURED WORKING CLASS CHILDREN IN SOUTH AFRICA
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Uncategorized on 17/05/2010
As children, the language medium of our primary school education was our home-language — Afrikaans. When we reached secondary school, we could choose Afrikaans or English as our medium of instruction. I chose English but many of my peers chose Afrikaans. This right to choose meant that they did better in their content subjects such [...]
Of language and politics The language of disrespect has descended from the highest levels of leadership
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Uncategorized on 15/03/2010
Julius Malema is guilty of hate speech. Exactly one year ago — I wrote this article for the Mail and Guardian. I want to write a companion to it of white race hate speech on websites such as politicweb or comments on the M&G, The Times and other sites. Of language and politics The [...]
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